Too often, we have to mourn the discontinuation of our all-time favorite ski designs. So Marshal Olson started Heritage Lab Skis to fix that. In this conversation, I talk with Marshal about all things Heritage Lab, including how it got started; how it’s going; their ‘smokin’ rocks’ warranty policy; order updates; and what’s next.
TOPICS & TIMES:
- What is Heritage Lab Skis? (4:34)
- How did you get it started? (11:25)
- Shapes & Designs (17:15)
- Testing & Production (21:48)
- Who are They For? (26:46)
- Warranty, Returns, & Smokin’ Rocks (28:06)
- Where are the Skis Built? (30:13)
- Build Types & Talking about ‘Classic Designs’ (32:52)
- Stated Radius Numbers (37:29)
- Biggest Surprises So Far? (39:13)
- What’s Next? (40:27)
- Orders & Current Status (42:05)
- Where to Learn More (46:07)
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Circa 2012 really was the pinnacle of ski design in my mind. Think of the classics from that era: dragon graphic Mantras and Katanas; Raging bull Cochise and Bodacious; Lasha Pows; original Bibby Pros; the blue Zealot; and the Sickle, only to name a few. I personally think skis have only gotten worse since then so I am glad Heritage Lab is making skis of that zeitgeist.
But Heritage Lab skis are not clearly direct/exact analogs any individual skis of that day. My question is what kind of intellectual property protections exist on ski designs? What specific elements thereof are under patent? How close to remaking, say a “star and laser bull” Cochise before lawyers Blizzard show up?
I’ll ponder these questions while awaiting my comp 87s.
It would be cool to make a second gen Hellbent with at the waist width of the original 122. Different niche though!
I love what you’re doing, Marshal.
I’m down to three pair of Bodacious 196s (red star and laser bull, green with classy font, and all black), and when I’ve worn them out, I’ve got my eye on the FL113.
Does anyone know what’s meant by “in collaboration with GFB”? It’s mentioned in the FL113’s description on the Heritage Lab site.
GFB = GoFastBoards, a custom run of long, stiff straight skis with no camber from Praxis, but the original ski design may have come from elsewhere. Looks like the FL113 takes geo cues from those skis?
Thanks, JShort!
For posterity, GFB is GoFastBoards, which is me. The Praxis skis unfortunately never happened, due to it being surprisingly difficult for five maggots to agree on spec sets, but luckily turned into the FL113s.
Cheers!